Two part key holders



March 13, 1962 D. s TOPPI TWO PART KEY HOLDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1959 INVENTOR DAN/5L 5. 76PM A TTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,024,915 TWO PART KEY HOLDERS Daniel S. Toppi, 12 Revere St., Portland, Maine Filed July 31, 1959, Ser. No. 830,766 10 Claims. (Cl. 211-43) The present invention relates to key holders and to combinations of such holders and key repositories.

Whenever it is necessary to have several keys located in a common repository, difliculties are experienced in their identification and in ensuring that they are returned, each to its own place. The problems are not important when, as in the case of hotel rooms, the keys can be identified by room numbers but in other cases, of which the operations of automobile dealers and real estate brokers are good examples, the problems are serious since the properties to which the keys belong are constantly being sold and, usually, several salesmen have access to the keys at the same time.

The general objective of the present invention is to provide key holders including first and second parts with the first part being attachable to or constituting a repository part, preferably a compartment defining partition and provided with a place to receive a replaceable insert on which may be entered any desired data relating to the identified property. The second holder part has a key attached thereto that is for the identified property and is detachably connected to the first holder part, preferably in a position covering the insert. The second holder part is also provided with a place for a replaceable insert having data entered thereon which, typically, includes the same property identifying data as is carried by the insert of the first part. Preferably, both insert-receiving places are rearwardly and upwardly inclined to ensure ease and convenience in reading their inserts.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown illustrative embodiments of the invention from which these and other of its objectives, novel features, and advantages will be readily apparent.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compartmented tray provided with key holders in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section of a tray showing the holders in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a similar view illustrating a different connection between a partition and a key holder;

FIG. 4 is another similar view illustrating a different connection between the key holder parts;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal, vertical section of another repository and key holders therefor in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the key holder parts, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the repository and key holder combination shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a tray 10 divided by a pinrality of transverse partitions 11 to define, with the front and rear end walls 12 and 13, respectively, a series of compartments 14 for keys 15. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of key holders are provided, one for each compartment. Each key holder is generally indicated' at 16 and comprises a first part 17 and a second part 18 detachably connected thereto.

The first holder part 17 has a rearward extension 19 and a downwardly opening slot 20 extending from endto end thereof and dimensioned to frictionally receive the upper portion of a partition 11 or the rear end wall 13. The part 17 has a face in the form of an undercut, flatbottomed channel 21 so disposed that when the part 17 is attached to a partition 11, the channel 21 is upwardly 3,024,915 Patented Mar. 13, 1962 and rearwardly inclined. The channel 21 slidably receives an appropriately dimensioned insert indicated at 22 on which is entered data such as that relating to the location of a property that is for sale and other information pertinent thereto.

The second holder part 18 is shown as having an undercut flat-bottomed channel 23 extending from end-to-end of its upper surface to slidably receive an appropriately dimensioned insert such as the indicated insert 24 which is adapted to have data entered thereon corresponding to that on the insert 22. The undersurface of the holder part 18 includes a fiat bearing surface 25 parallel to the bottom of the channel 23 and engageable with the upper surface of the holder part 17 when its hook-shaped rear flange 26 is caught over the rear edge of the extension 19. Centrally of its front edge, the holder part 18 is provided with 21 depending tab 27 having an aperture 28 for the chain 29 by which a key 15 is attached thereto.

In FIG. 3, a receptacle partition is indicated at 30 and is shown as having a socket 31 in its upper edge dimensioned to receive an attaching stud 32 depending from the bottom of a key holder first part 33 having an undercut, fiat-bottomed channel '34, disposed relative to the stud 32 the be upwardly and rearwardly inclined when the holder part 32 is attached to a partition 30.

If desired and as is illustrated by FIG. 4, a key holder second part 35 and may be employed with a first holder part, such as the first part 17. The second holder part 35 is identical to the second holder part 18 except that there is provided a shoulder 36 parallel to the hookshaped flange 37 for engagement with the edge of the first part 17 that is opposite the extension 19.

In the embodiment of the invent-ion illustrated by FIGS. 5-7, an open bottom repository 38 has a series of transversely alined upper and lower pairs of grooves 39 and 40, respectively, and the key holders are generally indicated at 41. Each key holder 41 comprises a first part 42 and a second part 43.

The first holder part 42 has an undercut, transverse, upwardly disposed fiat-bottomed channel 44 adapted to slidably receive an appropriately dimensioned insert indicated at 45 on which is entered data similar to that on the insert 22. The first holder part 42 also includes a partition establishing portion 46 disposed at such an angle to the channel 44 that said channel is rearwardly and upwardly inclined when the portion 46 is vertically disposed.

The portion 46 is provided with upper and lower studs 47 and 48, respectively, projecting from each edge. The studs 47 are transversely alined as are the studs 48. The studs 47 are seated in the grooves 39 which are relatively shorter than the grooves 40 which receive the studs 48. By this arrangement, each portion 46 may be slid upwardly to disengage its studs 47 from their grooves 39 and then swung rearwardly against the proximate key holder 41 to expose fully the insert 49 slidable in the vertical undercut, fiat-bottomed slideway 50. It will be noted that the Web of stock 51, between each pair of grooves 39 and 40 prevents detachment of the first holder members 42 from the repository 38.

Each second holder part 43 has a flat lower surface 52 adapted to bear against the holder part 42 when its hookshaped flange 53 is caught over the rear edge thereof. The second holder part 43 is also provided with a depend ing flange 54 engageable with the upper front of the portion 46 and includes a tab 55 'apertured. as at 56 to receive a key chain. The second holder part 43 is also provided with an undercut, transverse channel 57 for an appropriately dimensioned insert, not shown, and as the insert 24.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention makes possible the handling in a common repository of a number of keys to different properties with ease and convenience since each of the holder parts carries indicia ensuring that each key is returned to its proper compartment. In addition, the holders make it possible for a wide range of pertinent data to be listed so that, whenever a key is removed, both a record of its removal anda summary of activity relating to that property is presented as a convenient memorandum.

While the holders including their repositories may be variously made, it is preferred that they be molded from suitable plastics, preferably such as are resiliently yieldable. When thus made, the partition establishing portions 46 may be easily inserted into the repository member 38 simply by slightly spreading the walls of the latter.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, key holders and a respository including a plurality of transverse partitions dividing said repository into a plurality of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holders each comprising a first part attaohed to the partition at the rear of a compartment and a second part to the front portion of which a key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges at least one of which overhangs a compartment of which the partition to which said first part is attached constitutes an end wall, and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

2. A key holder for use with a repository having transverse partitions establishing a series of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holder including a first part attachable to a partition and a second part to the front portion of which the key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

3. A key holder for use with a repository having transverse partitions establishing a series of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holder including a first part attachable to a partition and having a shouldered, upwardly opening recess to receive an insert bearing data relative to the key, and a second part to the front portion of which the key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

4. A key holder for use with a repository having transverse partitions establishing a series of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holder including a first part attachable to a partition and having a shouldered, upwardly opening recess to receive an insert bearing data relative to the keys, and a second part to the front portion of which the key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part and having a shouldered, upwardly opening recess to receive an insert bearing data relative to the keys, said first part including front and rear edges and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and cover said first part recess, and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

5. A key holder for use with a repository having transverse partitions establishing a series of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holder including a first part having a slot dimensioned to receive a partition and a second part to the front portion of which the key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

6. A key holder for use with a repository having transverse partitions establishing a series of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holder including a first part attachable to a partition and a second part to the front portion of which the key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part, and a flange at its front edge resilently engaging the front edge of said first part.

7. In combination, key holders and a repository including a plurality of transverse partitions dividing said repository into a plurality of compartments adapted to receive keys, said holders each comprising a first part attached to the partition at the rear of a compartment and having a shouldered, upwardly opening recess adapted to receive an insert baring data relative to the key, and a second part to the front portion of which a key is to be attached and which is to be supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

8. In combination, key holders and a repository including a plurality of transverse partitions dividing said repository into a plurality of compartments adapted to receive keys, said partitions having upwardly opening recesses, said holders each comprising a first part, and a second part to the front portion of which a key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first and second parts including complemental, interengaging transverse, rear portions, said first part including a portion extending into said partition recesses.

9. In combination, key holders and a repository, each of said holders comprising a first part including a portion slidably connected to said repository to establish a transverse partition therefor, a second part to the front portion of which a key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first part including front and rear edges extending forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said portion, and said second part being dimensioned to overlie said first part and including a hook at its rear edge detachably caught over the rear edge of said first part.

10. In combination, key holders and a repository having transversely aligned pairs of upper and lower grooves that are vertically spaced, the upper grooves being openended, said holders each comprising a first part including a portion provided with studs along each edge, one for each grooved and entered therein to slidably connect said portion to said repository as a vertically slidable partition therefor, the upper studs disengaging from their grooves on such sliding in an upward direction to permit said part to be tilted rearwardly with a face disposed upwardly, and a second part to the front part of which a key is to be attached and which is supported by said first part, said first and second parts including complemental, transverse, rear, interengaging portions, the face of said partition portion that is upwardly disposed when rearwardly tilted having insert retaining shoulders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 807,757 Martin Dec. 19, 1905 1,372,205 Smith Mar. 22, 1921 1,560,009 Wobber Nov. 3, 1925 1,742,542 Howell Jan. 7, 1930 1,770,327 Thayer July 8, 1930 2,297,285 Bledsoe Sept. 29, 1942 2,601,026 Jones June 17, 1952 2,813,359 Ferdinand Nov. 19, 1957 

